What is Marine Engineering?

If you are a science or math buff, you may have considered a career in engineering but aren’t quite sure what type of engineering you want to go into. The field of engineering—which focuses on the designing and building of machines, parts, or structures—requires bright minds and hardworking people. Engineering is not an easy career by any means, and the requirements for getting licensed can be challenging. Even more specialized than engineering is the science of marine engineering, sometimes known as naval architecture, which is the application of the scientific and technical principles of engineering to marine oriented equipment or to the design of electronic devices that will be used for marine purposes. This equipment includes deep sea oil rigs, different types of water crafts, ships and boats, and piping and operations centers.

Sounds Interesting—Where Do I Start?

For those who are interested in pursuing a career in marine engineering, the schooling and hard work required will not be easy. With any engineering degree, class work in sciences, engineering, and technology must be completed. For marine engineering, either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in the subject is possible to pursue, although most companies prefer to hire applicants who have obtained a master’s degree. And in order to get into a graduate program, good grades and high test scores are a must—this field is looking for committed and talented individuals. Undergraduate requirements take an average of four years to complete, and a master’s degree in marine engineering will take between one and three years, depending on the program. Mobility Oil and Gas provide consultancy services in the areas of Petroleum Engineering Consultancy, Training and Procurement. We work with organizations to understand their training requirements.

What Exactly Does a Marine Engineer Do?

Marine engineers specialize in designing, fixing, or improving the efficiency of things like motors, engines, electrical equipment, and propulsion systems for marine vessels and marine equipment. Many marine engineers work for the United States, particularly in the navy. Most marine engineers don’t work at the building site itself, but rather design equipment—much like an architect would do—in an office using a computer. Occasionally, marine engineers will take trips to inspect vessels or test ships. Keeping in mind that this job requires coastal living with occasional travel is an important thing to consider before pursing it as a career.

How Much Does a Marine Engineer Make?

Marine engineers can make anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 per year depending on where they work, the experience and education they posses, and the type of project they’re working on. In most cases, the average salary for a marine engineer is a little under $80,000 per year, or about $40 per hour. Because marine vessels are necessary for the transportation of different types of cargo, including produce and natural gas, and because they are an essential part of the United States’ system of defense, the job market for marine engineering is quickly expanding. From now until 2020, a 17 percent increase in jobs in the field is predicted.

If you’re interested in becoming a marine engineer, there are some great programs that you should consider applying to. The United States Naval Academy, the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and the Stevens Institute of Technology are among the more highly ranked programs in the United States.

This article is written by career blogger, John Perry. If you want to find out more about marine engineering, anchor analysis for marine operations, or other engineering careers, he recommends talking to a career adviser.